2026 Best Value Special Education Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in special education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Special Education Schools
University Of Akron Wayne College tops our 2026 list of the best value special education schools in Ohio. Set in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,723, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Special Education graduates carry a median of $21,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Akron Wayne College generally make around $36,776. That is a strong return on a $21,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #2 place for special education. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $40,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph is a great value for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $28,273. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $69,964. Set against $28,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in special education will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $50,916. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Toledo one of the best values for special education. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,073 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $47,722. That is a strong return on a $22,073 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Youngstown State University landed the #6 spot for special education value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,125 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $40,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in special education this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $45,213. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Marietta College came in at #8 for value in special education this year. Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $39,652 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Marietta College generally make around $79,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marietta College admits about 79% of applicants.
Central State University earned the #9 position for value in special education this year. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,058, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. Special Education graduates carry a median of $31,318 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $27,388. Set against $31,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Shawnee State University earned the #10 position for value in special education this year. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, while out-of-state students pay about $16,032. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,000. Special Education graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $37,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kent State University At Kent placed #11 among the best values for special education. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $43,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Muskingum University came in at #12 for value in special education this year. Located in the rural area of New Concord, Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,701. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,932 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $39,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value special education schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $26,950 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $43,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,950 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for special education value this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $47,648. That is a strong return on a $26,313 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Lourdes College landed the #15 spot for special education value this year. Lourdes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sylvania. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,370. Special Education graduates carry a median of $29,668 in student loans. Special Education graduates of Lourdes College earn a median of $75,250 early in their careers. Set against $29,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lourdes College admits about 74% of applicants.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University placed #16 among the best values for special education. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,193 in tuition and fees. Special Education graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans. Early-career special education graduates make about $46,853. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ashland University placed #17 among the best values for special education. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Special Education graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $45,537 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #18 for value in special education this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,742 to complete the special education program here. Early-career special education graduates make about $51,104. That is a strong return on a $24,742 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Miami University Oxford earned the #19 position for value in special education this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the special education program here. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $46,559. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Rio Grande came in at #20 for value in special education this year. University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Rio Grande. Students from in state pay about $20,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for special education graduates is $27,044. Special Education graduates of University Of Rio Grande earn a median of $46,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Special Education](/majors/education/special-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
